Cityscape: A SoMa fortress that survived 2 earthquakes

Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. But the architecture bears evidence of the structure's original function, and the upheaval along the way. less

Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. But the architecture bears evidence of the structure's original function, and the upheaval ... more

Photo: John King / The Chronicle

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Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. The tower was repaired and repainted in 2003.

Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. The tower was repaired and repainted in 2003.

Photo: John King / The Chronicle

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The James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. as it appeared after it was built in 1890. The original design was by the firm Wright & Sanders, but the 1906 earthquake ravaged the tower and the sandstone walls.

The James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. as it appeared after it was built in 1890. The original design was by the firm Wright & Sanders, but the 1906 earthquake ravaged the tower and the sandstone walls.

Photo: Courtesy Gelfand Partners

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Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. But the architecture bears evidence of the structure's original function, and the upheaval along the way. less

Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. But the architecture bears evidence of the structure's original function, and the upheaval ... more

Photo: John King / The Chronicle

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A proud sign at the entrance to 165 10th St. that has seen things continue to change since the earthquake of 1906.

A proud sign at the entrance to 165 10th St. that has seen things continue to change since the earthquake of 1906.

Photo: John King / The Chronicle

Image 6 of 7

Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. But the architecture bears evidence of the structure's original function, and the upheaval along the way. less

Built in 1890 and rebuilt to less grand specifications in 1906, James Lick Baths at 165 10th St. now houses offices. But the architecture bears evidence of the structure's original function, and the upheaval ... more

Photo: John King / The Chronicle

Image 7 of 7

The view of the former bathhouse built and endowed by the estate of James Lick as seen from Natoma Street.

The view of the former bathhouse built and endowed by the estate of James Lick as seen from Natoma Street.

Photo: John King / The Chronicle

Cityscape: A SoMa fortress that survived 2 earthquakes

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The haphazard look of a building can be a story in itself, as San Francisco landmark No. 246 makes plain. It debuted as a regal sandstone fortress, offering bathing areas for a small fee to nearby families. Then came the 1906 earthquake; the walls and tower were ravaged, and the trustees rebuilt the bathhouse in a humbler style with an almost ad hoc air. In 1920, the structure became a laundry owned by a Japanese family, followed in 1978 by a conversion to office space. The common thread is a structure itself, awkward and appealing all at once.